Industry cheers FCC's Universal Service Fund reform; next up, interactive map

The FCC's decision to reform portions of the Universal Service Fund (USF) to support a national broadband plan has understandably drawn support from cable industry trade organizations.

American Cable Association CEO Matt Polka said his group is "heartened" by the measures but urged the Commission to proceed cautiously because its actions will impact "telecommunications networks throughout vast areas of the country ... that provide vital services to many Americans."

NCTA President-CEO Kyle McSlarrow added that "restructuring the Universal Service Fund so it promotes broadband deployment in truly unserved communities is critical to accomplishing the national priority of connecting all Americans."

Another part of that connection will happen Feb. 17 when the Commerce Department unveils a national interactive map pinpointing which communities do or don't have access to broadband. Such a map, of course, will be key to determining where broadband funding is directed.

For more:
- see this ACA post
- and this NCTA news release
- the National Journal has this story

Related articles:
AT&T, Verizon are rolling in Universal Service Fund dough
FCC's USF reform likely to hit rural wireless carriers
NCTA backs FCC's USF reform movement